A MAN has been ordered to pay the police compensation after causing criminal damage while in custody.

Steven Thompson, 47, was being detained in the cells at Fulford Road Police Station under police civil law powers when he was seen pulling threads on the safety suit he was wearing and using two screws he had removed from the cell toilet to unpick stitches, York magistrates heard.

The suit is made of a heavy duty quilted material, designed to prevent the wearer from self harm.

Martin Butterworth, prosecuting, said Thompson was unemployed and has mental health problems. He had not been arrested in connection with any criminal matter but police charged him with criminal damage to the suit, which cost £60, and was rendered unusable.

Thompson, of Etty Avenue, Tang Hall, York, pleaded guilty to the criminal damage on September 4.

Magistrates heard he committed the crime while on a suspended prison sentence which was imposed in April for offences including driving three times over the drink-drive limit and another criminal damage offence.

Magistrates ordered Thompson to pay £60 compensation, a £20 fine for the damage, a £50 fine for breaching the suspended sentenced and a £20 statutory surcharge.

After the case, they heard that probation officers who were supervising him under the suspended sentence order, were referring him to a mental health team. In April, his then solicitor Craig Robertson said Thompson suffered from depression.